Aussie teens adore One Direction

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THEY could barely see them, but the knowledge they were even in the same street as British band One Direction was enough to produce screams, tears and vomit from the thousands of teens crowded around Martin Place on Wednesday morning.

As the sun rose over Sydney's CBD, the chorus of squealing teenage girls drowned out the noise of traffic and sirens as hysterical fans awaited the arrival of the all-boy group outside the Channel 7 studio.

For many the excitement was simply too much.

Before the band even sat down to be interviewed on morning show Sunrise, at least 10 fans had fainted.

Paramedics were on standby throughout the event and extra security was called in to control the crowd.

Since the One Direction merchandise store was opened on the Easter weekend, the streets of Sydney have been flooded with crazed teenage fans.

Hundreds slept out the front of the store on the eve of its opening and waited at the airport the morning the band was due to touch down.

On Wednesday afternoon traffic was disrupted for up to two blocks from the Pitt St Mall after word spread the band could pay a visit to the store.

While fans have not given up on meeting their idols, the band's response to their adoring followers has attracted criticism from parents and media.

The five members slipped out a back entrance of the airport when they arrived on Monday and barely acknowledged their fans in Martin Place on Wednesday.

The boys will have the chance to redeem themselves when they play to what is sure to be another manic crowd at the Hordern Pavilion on Friday.